Ginsenoside Ro, an oleanane-type saponin has been screened for activity in experimental models of acute and chronic hepatitis. Ginsenoside Ro (50 and 200 mg/kg, P.O.) inhibited the increase of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (s-GOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (s-GPT) levels in D-galactosamine (GalN)- and carbon tetrachloride (CCl (4))-induced acute hepatitic rats. Ginsenoside Ro inhibited the increase of connective tissue in the liver of CCl (4)-induced chronic hepatitic rats. Ginsenoside Ro showed a stronger inhibitory effect on the GalN-induced acute hepatitic model than those of the aglycone of ginsenoside Ro, oleanolic acid, or glycyrrhizic acid and its aglycone, glycyrrhetinic acid.